BAWA’S INDEFINITE SUSPENSION: CACOL COMMENDS PRESIDENT TINUBU
15th June, 2023
Press Release
BAWA’S INDEFINITE SUSPENSION: CACOL COMMENDS PRESIDENT TINUBU.
The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, has hailed President Bola Tinubu for approving the indefinite suspension of the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, AbdulRasheed Bawa, from office.
In a press release issued by the anti-graft coalition’s Director of Administration and Programmes, Tola Oresanwo on behalf of its Chairman, Mr. Debo Adeniran, he noted, “It was reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has indefinitely suspended the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, AbdulRasheed Bawa, from office, to allow for a thorough investigation into his conduct while in office following “weighty allegations” of abuse of office against him.
The suspension of the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, AbdulRasheed Bawa, from office is a welcome development that is long overdue due to the sensitive nature of his office. We had earlier joined other Civil Society Organisations to call on the immediate Past President, Muhammadu Buhari to relieve Bawa of his appointment in order to allow for thorough investigations of allegations leveled against him.
It should be noted that we wrote the Senate not to confirm him based on the allegations leveled against him when he headed the Port Harcourt office of the anti-graft agency but the Attorney General smuggled him in and got the National Assembly to confirm him. Moreover, because of the way and manner the immediate past Acting Chairman of the agency, Ibrahim Magu was eased out of EFCC, we opined that Magu was yet to be removed from the office permanently and that he was still the Acting Chairman of the agency. So by this action coming from the President, we have been vindicated as we have opposed Bawa’s nomination from the beginning.
“It must also be noted clearly, that we are not opposed to the commission’s mandate to fight corruption, but we are opposed to the seeming politicization of the agency under Mr. Bawa, its clear fixation on certain individuals in society, needless media trial, alleged corruption within the agency, and the manner in which EFCC officials act above the law by corrupting our judicial processes with impunity.
“We therefore commend President Bola Tinubu for heeding to the yearnings of the people by taking drastic action which the past administration found too difficult to take. This singular action by the President would send a note of warning to all other holding one position of authority or the other that they can be called to give account of their stewardship at any time.
“We would like to advise that the selection of the next Chairman of the Commission should be based on merit and political consideration should be downplayed. This will allow the agency to function and discharge its duties without fear or favour. The good work of fighting corruption to standstill by the agency should also be supported by the government”
Tola Oresanwo
Director, Administration and Programmes, CACOL
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